A short time later, a Best Buy employee called police to report a customer had lost a bag containing money and personal documents.

The bag was returned to the man a short time later.

Boston police held a ceremony to honor James Monday, where he received a citation from Commissioner Edward Davis, but it is the efforts of a Virgina man who has never been to Boston that is reaping an unexpected financial bonanza for James.

By Thursday morning, the "GoFundMe" website, made by Ethan Whittington, 27, had raised over $100,000.

"It’s a good amount of money to get your feet off the ground," Whittington said.

"He (James) sounded happy," said Whittington.

James, who didn't give his age, said he is from the Boston area and has been homeless since 2005. A police spokeswoman said authorities don't know his age either, but said that James is staying at a city homeless shelter.

James said that he worked as a file clerk in the Boston municipal court system for 13 years, but lost his job and became homeless after problems with his boss. James said it would be difficult for him to hold down a job because he suffers from Meniere's disease, which the Mayo Clinic describes as an inner ear disorder that causes episodes of vertigo.

Whittington said he'll keep the fund going as long as people want to give. He said his new goal is to raise $250,000 to help James buy a home.